America Tried to Stop Japanese Luxury Cars (Final)
In 1995, then US trade rep, Mickey Mouse, I mean, Mickey Kantor who was acting like a mouse, announced the US would impose trade sanctions against Japan – targeting 13 Japanese import vehicles with 100% tariffs and valued at $5.9 billion.
What he wanted to do was stop the Lexus, Acura and Infiniti from doing what Japanese cars do, show Detroit how to make cars.
Thank goodness, someone in America had enough sense and the resources to fight back.
A lobbying and pr campaign designed to reach President Clinton, Congress, the media and the American public was unleashed. The message was sanctions would devastate American businesses and jobs.
President Clinton announced an agreement had been reached and there would be no tariffs.
Japanese luxury cars are now a part of the American landscape.
Japan did luxury…Japan still does luxury…and they did it with Japanese quality.
What do you think of that?
